NBA Power Rankings: Blake Griffin trade shakes things up

The Hornets have improved since Coach Steve Clifford returned to the bench, and they split their four games this week, with wins over the Kings and Hawks while losing to the Pelicans and Heat. After 48 games, they find themselves about six games back of the playoff teams in the Eastern Conference.

Kemba Walker didn’t seem to be phased by any trade rumors, averaging 25 points per game this week. “I’m over it,” Walker said. “I’m not even thinking about it anymore. I just want to win.” They needed all 29 points from him on Monday in their 112-107 win over the Kings, as they were able to keep Sacramento at bay despite a late charge. Dwight Howard had 22 points and 16 rebounds in his 1,000th career game, but the Hornets lost 101-96 against the Pelicans. It was a close game, with the Hornets down by just one with about a minute remaining, as New Orleans made their free throws down the stretch while Charlotte missed their field goal attempts.

Howard had a monster game against his former teammates in Atlanta on Friday, registering seven blocks as he helped his team dominate the final quarter. Charlotte looked like they ran out of gas in the fourth quarter, on the second night of a back-to-back, against the Miami Heat. They scored just 13 points in the fourth, as Wayne Ellington drilled a 3-pointer with four seconds to cap their rally. “They got some good stops and they were able on their end to make some buckets,” Howard said. “We just have to do better.”